Last week, a swastika was painted on the Rock at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, campus soon after being painted with a "message of solidarity," according to a statement from Interim Chancellor Wayne Davis.

Tara Bain, director of UT Knoxville Hillel, said at the vigil, the Pittsburgh Steelers logo along with the phrase "Stronger Than Hate" had been painted on the Rock. On Friday night, two students noticed two individuals painting the Rock. When the two students approached the Rock, the individuals who were painting left.

Davis said he met with students, faculty, staff and members of the local Jewish community to discuss the incident. Davis said those he met with felt "targeted and intimidated by this incident."

"I want to make it clear that the university does not condone these actions or other acts of intimidation or intolerance," Davis said. "No one should feel unsafe because of their religious beliefs."

Bain said Jewish students on campus "immediately felt unsafe...we're just very disheartened that this would happen." Since the incident last week, there has been an "outreach of strength and support," both from university administrators and other religious groups on campus, she said.

Davis noted that the Rock is "a long-standing platform of free expression," and the paintings from last week do not "represent our values and has no place on our campus."

Interim Chancellor Wayne Davis, a first-generation college student, posed for a group photo on National First-Generation College Student Day.(Photo: Monica Kast)

Davis pointed to the "Vols Means All" message that was painted over the message, and said he was encouraged by the students who chose to do so.

"As disappointed as I am that this happened, I am also heartened by the students who took it upon themselves to immediately paint over the symbol of hate out of care and concern for their fellow Volunteers," he said.

"By standing together and taking care of and respecting one another, we will ensure our campus is a community in which everyone feels welcome and safe."